Forbes Farm LMF

10/07/2026

For those of you who are wondering what VRH is short for-

WHAT IS… VRH?

VRH stands for Versatility Ranch Horse.

Versatility Ranch Horse competition showcases a horse’s ability across a variety of ranch events. Each class tests a different part of the horse’s versatility — from riding and obstacles to precise maneuvers, cattle work and conformation.

What classes are included in Versatility Ranch Horse?
For our What Is…? series, we are using the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH) program as our reference.

AQHA VRH includes six classes:
Ranch Riding — evaluates movement, transitions, responsiveness and the horse’s ability to perform a ranch riding pattern.
Ranch Trail — tests the horse and rider through obstacles and situations based on tasks that may be encountered in ranch work.
Ranch Reining — demonstrates control and responsiveness through maneuvers such as circles, stops, spins and rollbacks.
Ranch Cutting — asks the horse and rider to separate a cow from the herd and help prevent it from returning.
Ranch Cow Work — evaluates the horse’s ability to work and control cattle. The work required varies by division.
Ranch Conformation — evaluates the horse’s structure, balance and suitability as a working ranch horse.

Is VRH the same in every association?
Not always.

Versatility and stock horse programs are offered by a number of associations. Depending on the organization, you may see different class names, different combinations of classes, or different rules and requirements.

That’s why it is important to check the rules for the association or show you are entering.

For the What Is…? series, when we talk about VRH, we’ll use the AQHA program as our reference while recognizing that other organizations may do things differently.

Do you have to compete in all six VRH classes?
Not necessarily.
Individual VRH classes can be offered, while AQHA has specific requirements for horses competing for VRH all-around recognition. Always check the requirements for the event and class you are entering.

Why “Versatility”?
That’s really what VRH is about.

Each event asks something different of the horse. Put them together and they give us a much broader look at the horse’s ability to perform a variety of ranch-related skills.

One Horse. Many Skills.

We’ve already explored several of these classes in our What Is…? series. Next, we’re heading into the cattle classes.

What is Ranch Cutting? What is Ranch Cow Work? How are they different — and what are the horse and rider actually expected to do?

We’ll break those down in upcoming posts.

Ranch Riding & More

09/28/2026

Enjoy a coffee and have a read.

The September issue of Ranch Riding & More is HERE!

Our fourth issue is now live — and this one really reflects what Ranch Riding & More is becoming.

Inside you'll find our August Virtual Show highlights, meet September judge Jodie Moore, head Beyond the Show Pen, explore where the ranch performance classes came from, and find more from around the RR&More community.

And there are lots of real riders, real horses and real ranch country throughout this issue.

A huge thank you to everyone who has submitted photos. Your photos are helping us show the people, horses and places that make up this community — so please keep them coming!

We've also made this issue more interactive. Watch for clickable links throughout the magazine that will take you directly to more RR&More information and opportunities.

Grab a coffee and have a read.

September Ranch Riding & More:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/999c56d377.html

And if you enjoy it, share the magazine with a friend who might enjoy it too.

Ranch Riding & More Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series Gail Molsberry Angelica McLoughlin Stablehand Leather Care Elders Equine Elders Equine - Brandon Anne Van D**e Jodie Moore Lillian Evaniew-Phelan Claudia Zurmuhle Lindsay Ann Trey Smith

09/26/2026

pasture management-

- The end of the grazing season Part 2

The invasive species in our pastures are not going to be taking a vacation while forage species rest and recover. Now, in fact, with little competition from grasses, they're able to amp up their growth and reproduction rates. You may now begin to notice infestations of w**ds pop up that you didn't see at all earlier in the season.

This results in challenges for pasture stewards: invasive w**ds are taking advantage of the season, but for some of their species, full maturity may not be the best time for control.

~ Pulling or digging them may be a better option, but if the soil is dry and compacted, partial root systems may remain, resulting in regrowth when moisture returns to the soil.

~ Mowing can knock back seed production but it can also widely spread existing seeds. W**d whacking temporarily stops growth but in some species, seed heads continue to mature even after being cut.

~ Cutting may also encourage w**ds to go into hyperdrive flowering and seed set late in the growing season.

~ There is no one blanket method for dealing with late-season w**ds; a broadleaf herbicide may successfully treat some but fail to significantly affect others.

~ We need to become familiar with the growth type of persistent w**ds. Appropriate control methods vary depending on if plants are annual, biennial, or perennial.

Our local w**d board, conservation district, and extension office will be able to advise us on the best controls (and timing) for our particular resident w**d species. Walking the pastures and taking the time to identify all w**d populations and map their locations is a good first step. If we don't know the species, good photos and a sample (bagged well...paper is better) will help staff ID them for us.

While it's always nice to have a break after summer, good pasture management is truly a year-round process. It has a profound effect not only on the amount of forage produced (thereby cutting hay costs), but on the health of our pastures and equines for years to come.

09/18/2026

Good advice

Three simple things every horse owner should know:
1️⃣ Placement matters. Find the natural girth groove.
2️⃣ Tighter isn’t always better. Secure the saddle without creating unnecessary pressure.
3️⃣ Think about the whole system. Cinch, saddle, pad, rigging, and your horse’s anatomy all work together.

Small adjustments can make a big difference in how your horse moves and feels.

Better Fit. Better Movement. Better Performance.

09/14/2026

Spruce Meadows Name the Foal winners

After thousands of creative submissions from horse lovers across Canada, we’re thrilled to announce the three winning names in Name the Foal, presented by TELUS! 🇨🇦

🏆 I’ve Got This — submitted by Lyndsay Robinson of Quesnel, BC
☕ Served Hot — submitted by Linda Lawry of Nanaimo, BC
💫 Genuine Attraction — submitted by Maria Simmons of Dartmouth, NS

The winners revealed the foals names today, Friday, September 11, during the TELUS Evening of the Horse on the International Ring! 🎉

Congratulations to Lyndsay, Linda and Maria — and a huge thank you to everyone across Canada who shared their creativity and helped make this year’s contest so special! 🇨🇦🐴

A very special thank you to TELUS for helping bring Name the Foal to life and celebrating the next generation of horses with us!

09/14/2026

Spruce Meadows weekend update

09/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BU6krcJMP/

WHAT IS RANCH HORSEMANSHIP?

Last in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Ranch Horsemanship.

This is another class that can be confusing because, at first glance, it can look a lot like Ranch Riding.

There is one very important difference:

Ranch Riding focuses primarily on the horse.
Ranch Horsemanship focuses primarily on the rider.

So what exactly is Ranch Horsemanship?

Ranch Horsemanship is a pattern class designed to evaluate how safely, accurately and effectively the rider guides the horse through a prescribed pattern.

The horse's performance still matters — but the judge is paying particular attention to you.

Your position.
Your balance.
Your timing.
Your preparation.
How you use your aids.
And how effectively you help your horse perform the pattern.

What might you be asked to do?

Depending on the pattern and level, maneuvers can include:

• Walk and extended walk
• Trot and extended trot
• Lope and extended lope
• Stops and backing
• Turns or pivots
• Circles
• Serpentines
• Changes of direction
• Transitions
• Sidepassing
• Poles
• Simple or flying lead changes
• Other combinations appropriate to the level

Not every pattern or level will include every maneuver.

What is the judge looking for?

The judge is looking at things such as:

• Rider position and balance
• Seat and body alignment
• Use of hands, seat and legs
• Timing and preparation
• Pattern accuracy
• Smoothness and precision
• Correct transitions
• Control of the horse
• Rider effectiveness
• Horse's willingness and responsiveness
• Overall confidence, safety and workmanlike presentation

A good Ranch Horsemanship ride should look organized, balanced and effective.

The rider shouldn't appear to be pulling, holding, chasing or constantly correcting the horse through the pattern.

Do I have to look like a traditional Horsemanship rider?

This is where the Ranch part matters.

RR&More uses horsemanship principles for judging the rider, but with a natural, practical ranch-style presentation.

You don't receive extra credit because you have expensive silver tack or a highly polished show-ring outfit.

Clean, neat, safe and workmanlike is what we're after.

The judge is interested in how you ride — not how much your tack cost.

What if you don't lope?

There are options here too.

RR&More Ranch Horsemanship offers Intro Walk/Walk, Walk/Trot or Walk/Trot/Lope.

That gives riders an opportunity to demonstrate their horsemanship at a level appropriate to what they and their horse are currently able to do.

Ranch Riding or Ranch Horsemanship?

Here's the easiest way to remember the difference:

Ranch Riding:
How well does the horse perform the pattern?

Ranch Horsemanship:
How well does the rider guide the horse through the pattern?

Both horse and rider matter in either class — but the primary focus changes.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Horsemanship is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

Choose how you want your ride evaluated:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you better understand your performance and where you can improve.

All breeds are welcome.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

09/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DnWvLW4Qk/

WHAT IS RANCH REINING?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Ranch Reining.

Isn't it just Reining in a ranch saddle?

Not quite.

Many riders watch a Reining class and assume Ranch Reining is simply a slower or less advanced version of the same event.

But they are two distinctly different classes with different goals.

Ranch Reining includes many of the same foundational maneuvers as traditional Reining — such as:

• Circles
• Lead changes
• Spins
• Stops
• Backing
• Speed transitions

But the purpose behind those maneuvers is different.

So what's the difference?

Traditional Reining is a specialty event designed to showcase a high level of athleticism, precision and training. Speed, power, style and ex*****on are important parts of the performance.

Ranch Reining is part of the ranch horse family of classes.

Its purpose is to demonstrate the qualities of a practical, versatile ranch horse — one that can perform the required reining maneuvers correctly and willingly and still look like a horse capable of going back to a day's work.

That doesn't mean Ranch Reining is simply an easier version of Reining.

It means many of the same foundational maneuvers are being evaluated through a different lens.

What is the judge looking for?

Rather than emphasizing extreme expression or specialized performance, Ranch Reining rewards qualities such as:

• Correctness
• Balance
• Responsiveness
• Willingness
• Smooth, purposeful maneuvers
• Effective guidance from the rider
• Overall usefulness and rideability

The overall picture matters just as much as the individual maneuvers.

The horse should look capable, dependable and practical — not as though exaggerated movement is required simply for the show pen.

Do I need a huge sliding stop or lightning-fast spins?

No.

A bigger maneuver isn't automatically a better maneuver.

Correct, balanced and controlled comes first.

That's an important distinction for riders who may look at traditional Reining and immediately think:

“My horse can't do that.”

Ranch Reining isn't asking your horse to be a specialized Reining horse.

It's asking you to demonstrate the required maneuvers correctly, willingly and in keeping with the qualities of a useful ranch horse.

What if you don't lope?

You still have an option.

RR&More offers Ranch Reining in both Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Lope, allowing horses and riders to demonstrate the work appropriate to the level they've entered.

You don't have to wait until you can perform the more advanced version of every maneuver before giving Ranch Reining a try.

A different way to think about Ranch Reining

Instead of asking:

“How can I make this maneuver bigger?”

Try asking:

“How can I make it more correct, more balanced and more practical?”

That gets much closer to what Ranch Reining is about.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Reining is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

Choose how you want your ride evaluated:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you better understand your performance and where you can improve.

All breeds are welcome.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

Next up: Ranch Horsemanship.

09/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LkrfyyXFr/

WHAT IS WORKING WESTERN RAIL?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is Working Western Rail.

You may also know this type of class as Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure.

Different organizations use different names, but the basic idea is similar — this is a rail class designed to showcase the movement, manners and rideability of a useful ranch-type horse.

How does a rail class work virtually?

Unlike Ranch Riding, Working Western Rail isn't an individual maneuver pattern.

In a traditional rail class, horses work together around the arena while the judge evaluates them at the required gaits.

Because RR&More is virtual, we provide specific instructions for how to ride and record your Working Western Rail entry so the judge has the opportunity to properly evaluate your horse at the required gaits and in both directions.

What will the judge need to see?

Depending on the class and level, your entry may include:

• Walk
• Trot
• Extended trot
• Lope
• Extended lope
• Changes of direction
• Transitions between gaits
• Stops and backing

The instructions are designed to give the judge a clear opportunity to see your horse's movement, transitions, manners and overall way of going.

What is the judge looking for?

A good Working Western Rail horse should look like one you would want to ride for more than five minutes.

The judge is looking for things such as:

• Natural, forward movement
• Ground-covering gaits
• Rhythm and cadence
• Smooth transitions
• Willingness and responsiveness
• Manners
• Balance and self-carriage
• Consistency
• Overall usefulness and rideability

We want to see a horse that moves forward willingly and looks comfortable, practical and capable of doing a job.

What if you don't lope?

You can still enter Working Western Rail.

RR&More offers both Walk/Trot and Walk/Trot/Lope options, depending on level.

Working Western Rail, Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure?

If you've seen any of those names and wondered whether they're completely different classes, you're not alone.

Terminology varies between organizations and events.

At RR&More, we call our class Working Western Rail, but you'll commonly hear similar ranch-style rail classes referred to as Ranch Rail or Ranch Pleasure.

Want to give it a try?

Working Western Rail is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you choose how you want your ride evaluated:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you better understand your performance and where you can improve.

All breeds are welcome.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

Ranch Riding & More Virtual Show Series

09/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ei6AFaaaq/

WHAT IS RANCH RIDING?

Next in our look at the classes offered at Ranch Riding & More is — Ranch Riding.

So what exactly is it?

Ranch Riding is a pattern class designed to showcase a willing, responsive and useful ranch horse that moves forward with purpose.

The horse should look comfortable doing its job — covering ground willingly, responding to the rider and moving through the pattern in a smooth, controlled manner.

A good Ranch Riding performance should leave you thinking:

“I’d want to go to work with that horse.”

What might you be asked to do?

Depending on the pattern and level, Ranch Riding can include:

• Walk
• Trot and extended trot
• Lope and extended lope
• Stops
• Backing
• Transitions between gaits
• Changes of direction
• Turns
• Sidepassing
• Simple or flying lead changes
• Poles or other ranch-type maneuvers

Not every pattern or level includes every maneuver.

What is the judge looking for?

It's not simply about completing the pattern.

The judge is looking at things such as:

• Willingness and attitude
• Manners and responsiveness
• Forward, ground-covering movement
• Rhythm and cadence
• Smooth transitions
• Correctness of the maneuvers
• Pattern accuracy
• Overall usefulness and rideability

The horse should look like one that would be pleasant and practical to ride outside the show pen — not overly artificial, overly slow or overly manufactured.

What if you don't lope?

You can still Ranch Ride.

RR&More offers Walk/Trot Ranch Riding for horses and/or riders who aren't ready to lope a show pattern.

Walk/Trot entries are judged on the work required for their class — including pattern accuracy, walk and trot quality, transitions, manners, responsiveness, rhythm and cadence.

What about lead changes?

Here's something that sometimes causes unnecessary worry:

A flying lead change isn't automatically required.

At RR&More, when a Ranch Riding pattern calls for a lead change, the change may be simple or flying unless the pattern specifically states otherwise.

A clean, smooth and balanced simple change is acceptable.

Want to give it a try?

Ranch Riding is offered in the September RR&More Virtual Show Series.

And you choose how you want your ride evaluated:

Score Only — receive your score and placing.

Score + Feedback — receive your score and placing, plus individual feedback from the judge to help you better understand your performance and where you can improve.

All breeds are welcome.

Entries close September 14. Videos are due September 27.

Next up: Working Western Rail.